Latur, Sep 27 (PTI) The NCP(SP) on Sunday attacked BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar, accusing him of mocking farmers and youth, after a video purportedly showing him calling a demonstration over drought-like conditions in Maharashtra’s Latur district “political” went viral.
Before the state government declared 265 of the 358 talukas in the state drought-affected on Saturday, the NCP (SP) had led an agitation demanding that Ausa taluka be declared drought-hit over scanty rainfall.
In the purported video, Pawar, who represents the Ausa assembly constituency, is heard saying that the demand was not that of farmers but of unemployed people and that it was a political move.
Ausa has been included in the government list of drought-affected talukas.
NCP (SP) taluka president Narendra Patil on Sunday said the demonstration was organised because of the “severe situation” prevailing in Ausa, particularly the damage to soybean crops and shortage of fodder and water.
He claimed farmers, youth, women and members of middle-class families participated in the agitation.
“If farmers were present there, was he making fun of the farmers? And if unemployed youth were participating, was he mocking them?” Patil asked.
The MLA should have taken the issue to the government and ensured relief for farmers, he said, demanding that Pawar apologise to farmers and unemployed youth.
Pawar is yet to react to the viral video. PTI COR NR
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